Best colleges for Chemical Engineering in Pennsylvania
Program-level earnings — not school prestige — rank these. Among the Pennsylvania programs in the federal field-of-study file, Lafayette College leads: its Chemical Engineering graduates earn a median $115,726 four years after finishing, against the field's $98,158 national median. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026.)
| # | College | Grad earnings, 4 yrs | Vs field median |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lafayette College | $115,726 | +$17,568 |
| 2 | Carnegie Mellon University | $110,378 | +$12,220 |
| 3 | University of Pennsylvania | $109,884 | +$11,726 |
Frequently asked questions
Which Pennsylvania college is best for Chemical Engineering?
By graduate earnings, Lafayette College — its Chemical Engineering bachelor's graduates earn a median $115,726 four years out, the highest of the 3 Pennsylvania programs in the federal file.
What do Chemical Engineering graduates earn in Pennsylvania?
Across the ranked Pennsylvania programs, median earnings four years after completion run from $109,884 to $115,726. The field's national median is $98,158.
Is a Chemical Engineering degree worth it?
On national medians, yes — Chemical Engineering graduates earn $49,798/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. See the full field profile for payback math.